Overview

Workplace: Institute of Parasitology
Employment relationship: Employment contract
Job type: Researcher
Researcher profile: R1
Duration: Fixed-term
Job status: Full-time
Job starting date: 1. 9. 2025
Application deadline: 11. 4. 2025

JOB DESCRIPTION:

Are you fascinated by the still unknown processes that led to the formation of plastids? We are looking for a PhD candidate to help unravel the steps, their order, and their timing during plastid endosymbiosis.

Background of your project:

Plastid endosymbiosis has transformed our planet, introducing photosynthesis to eukaryotes and triggering the evolution of a massive diversity of algae and plants. Yet we do not know how it works – mainly because most endosymbiotic events took place such a long time ago. Kleptoplastidic microbes, which steal and transiently retain plastids from their algal prey for photosynthesis, offer the unique possibility to investigate plastid endosymbiosis while it is happening. Overall rare in eukaryotes, kleptoplastidy has evolved relatively frequently in dinoflagellates, a species-rich lineage of unicellular eukaryotes that is nevertheless understudied in its diversity. The Evolution of Protist Symbioses Laboratory utilizes known and newly isolated kleptoplastidic dinoflagellates as models to study the process of plastid endosymbiosis. In particular, the wide range of various plastid integration levels in different kleptoplastidic lineages offers exciting possibilities to learn more about the mechanistic details of this process. For more information on the lab and its research, please visit: https://protistomics.eu/hehenberger/

REQUIREMENTS:

Min. education level: Master’s degree
Field of education: Biological sciences

About your role:

You will be a key contributor to a small research team within the lab that integrates cultivation-based and culture-free approaches to explore kleptoplastidic dinoflagellates along a range of plastid integration levels. You will be involved in manual and automated image-based isolation, culture establishment, (single-cell) transcriptomic data generation and determination of physiological parameters of known and novel kleptoplastidic lineages to help resolve the following fundamental questions: What is the hidden diversity of kleptoplastidic dinoflagellates? Does the plastid integration level drive a specification in predation? What are the dynamics of genetic integration during early plastid endosymbiosis? Specifically, you will contribute to the design and execution of experiments, data analysis and manuscript preparation. Furthermore, you will have ample opportunities to present your findings at the annual PhD retreat, the institutional seminar series and international conferences.

About your workplace:

You will be enrolled in the PhD program of Integrative Biology under the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics at the University of South Bohemia in Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic (PhD program website: https://www.prf.jcu.cz/en/admissions/degree-programmes/study-programme?programme=3140).

Your scientific research will be performed at the Institute of Parasitology (IoP) (https://www.paru.cas.cz/en/), which is located on the same academic campus as the university. You will be an integral member of the vibrant and international research group led by Dr. Elisabeth Hehenberger, who has recently been awarded the prestigious European Research Council Consolidator Grant. You will have excellent opportunities to advance your scientific career in a nurturing and stimulating research lab that has built an extensive network of national and international collaborators across Europe, Japan and North America. The lab is located in a newly remodeled open space research center that houses three other labs focusing on various evolutionary aspects of microbial eukaryotes. The scientific expertise and technical facilities of these joint evolutionary research groups are highly complementary, forming the base of a collaborative and friendly environment for cutting-edge research. Outstanding facilities are available for cellular physiology, advanced imaging and each of the major -omics fields.

České Budějovice is located 2 hours south of the capital city, Prague, and 2 hours north of the Austrian Alps. Situated on the confluence of the Vltava and Malse rivers, it has over 750 years of tradition. The many city parks and beautiful countryside contributes to a relaxed atmosphere. With about 100K inhabitants, the city still offers many cultural and recreational opportunities. In addition to these positives, the living costs are still low by international standards. Visit the Guide for Expats (https://www.bc.cas.cz/en/employees/) to read about life in the city and the Czech Republic.

About You:

• You have recently completed a Master’s degree in biological sciences.
• You are an enthusiastic scientist with a curious mind, strong observational skills and keen analytical reasoning. Previous experience with dinoflagellates or cultivation in general is a plus.
• You are organized, accurate and responsible. Importantly, you possess excellent communication skills that contribute to a pleasant working atmosphere. You enjoy working collaboratively as part of a dynamic team on well-defined research projects. When necessary, your scientific passion enables you to work independently and demonstrate initiative by implementing new methodologies.

Our offer:

• A four year governmental stipend supplemented by lab funding to ensure personal financial stability
• While the official PhD program will begin in September 2025, we have the financial resources to begin your employment at an earlier date if you are available
• A general understanding of a healthy work/life balance

BENEFITS:

• 5 weeks of paid holiday per year in total for 1 FTE
• Subsidized lunches in our own canteen
• Standard health insurance and social security
• Benefits from Social fund and student benefits
• Welcome service and further support for foreigners (visa application, administration, relocation & settlement support)
• Free language classes (Czech for foreigners, English for Czechs)
• Opportunity to take part in mentoring programs as a mentor or a mentee
• Concessionary mobile tariff and banking services at the contractual operator and bank
• Access to accommodation in dormitories at the campus shared by the Biology Centre and the University of South Bohemia

ABOUT THE SELECTION PROCESS:

The Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences holds the HR Excellence in Research Award. Our selection process is transparent, open, non-discriminating, and fair. For more information about the researchers’ recruitment policy at our institution, see OTM-R (https://www.bc.cas.cz/en/employees/candidates/otm-r/).

At the deadline, we will select 3-5 of the best candidates and contact them via email to schedule an interview online.

HOW TO APPLY:

Please submit your CV along with a motivational letter explaining your research passions and why you are uniquely qualified to join our research group via our official website: https://jobs.bc.cas.cz/en/detail/243.
You are invited to submit the names and contact information of two references.

Contact: elisabeth.hehenberger@paru.cas.cz.